Diagnosis of End-stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include:

Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) and Creatinine
—to see whether your kidneys are working properly. If they are not filtering the blood properly, the blood will contain excess amounts of creatinine and urea. Creatinine is a byproduct of muscle function, while urea is a waste product of protein metabolism.

Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)
—a measurement of how well the kidneys are processing wastes. Your doctor can calculate the GFR based on gender, age, body size, and blood creatinine level.

StageGlomerular Filtration Rate (GFR)

1over 90 mL/min (normal)

260-89 mL/min (mild decrease)

330-59 mL/min (moderate decrease)

415-29 mL/min (severe decrease)

5under 15 mL/min (kidney failure or end-stage renal disease)

Urine Tests
—You may be asked to collect urine in a special container over a 24-hour period. This test will also show
how well
your kidneys are clearing creatinine. The amount of urine you produce is also significant. If your kidneys are failing—or starting to fail—you may produce little or no urine.

Renal Imaging
—the use of
ultrasound
,
MRI scan
,
or
CT scan
to take pictures of the kidneys. These pictures will show whether urine flow is blocked or whether there is a change in the size of the kidneys.

Kidney Biopsy
—A small piece of kidney may be surgically removed and sent to a laboratory in order to determine the cause of kidney failure.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.